We are still accepting applications for Fall 2017!

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program prepares students to provide psychiatric and mental health services to individuals of all ages and to groups and populations. A strong background in assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic, and treatment modalities is provided. Students have clinical experiences with psychiatric mental health practitioners in the community and are supervised by faculty who maintain active practices themselves.

Two pathways are available:

Multiple Campus Locations

The program is offered at WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, and WSU Vancouver.

Program Delivery

DNP program delivery is a hybrid of mostly online delivery with key in-classroom dates. Classrooms are available on campuses at WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver; some classrooms are available for some courses at sites in Yakima, Walla Walla and Puyallup. You can expect to attend a minimum of 2 classroom based experiences per semester (there is a maximum of 5 classroom sessions). In addition to classroom based coursework, you will complete clinical course requirements working in various health care settings across the Northwest. Clinical placements are arranged based on student requests and site availability, at times travel to other cities is required to gain the best experience.

Flexible Scheduling

Full and part-time study options are offered allowing for maximum flexibility for the working nurse. If you are a bachelor’s prepared student attending full-time, you will complete the program in about 3-4 years. if you attend part-time, you will likely complete the degree requirements in 4-5 years.

Admission Criteria

Research and Teaching Assistant Opportunities

Research and Teaching Assistant positions are available. Contact an advisor at your site.

Career Settings

Private mental healthcare practice

Inpatient mental health settings

Community-based counseling services

Certification & Licensure

Graduates of the DNP-PMHNP program are eligible to take the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center to become certified and then state-licensed.